Sonny Dickson is once again capturing the fascination of Apple fans this morning with the publication of a series of new photos that purportedly depict the fingerprint scanner that's coming to the next-gen iPhone.

Although we're just days away from separating rumor from reality when Apple shows off its refreshed goods on Tuesday, the tech blogosphere is - and will remain - on a rumor rampage through the weekend.

"We’ve gotten our hands on dozens of sharp high-res images of the iPhone 5S home button hardware," Dickson wrote on Thursday. "Notably, the sensors and flex cable bear a remarkably different design when compared to the iPhone 5 home button – and even previous supposed 5S part leaks."

While the design differences have yet to be technically assessed, they could have a whole lot to do with the rumored biometric fingerprint scanner that numerous pundits and analysts have predicted. In fact, we’d count on it.

It should be noted, however, that the fingerprint scanner is expected on the iPhone 5S, not the lower-cost entry-level iPhone 5C.

To review the full gallery of images shared by Dickson this morning, click here.

Semms like not many people are keen on the idea, but as a person who uses this in lieu of typing in a password on a computer multiple times a day, I'm definitely looking forward to it.

currently I don't even use a passcode because I don't like having to put it in all the time and it gets in the way of using Siri while driving. But with a finger swipe it would be much quicker and easier to add security to unlocking and not even have to look at my phone to do it while driving.

That's just basic unlocking. I think Apple could use this to implement additional security layers within the OS and on specific apps as well. It could also help making secure phone payment options quicker and easier.

I think its a great idea! Just wonder about the functionality of it. When they say scan do you press and have your finger print scanned or will you slide it downward? Will be interesting to see this in 5 days :]

You're the same type of idiot that bought the 4S because Siri was "a total game-changer" and it was "so much more convenient." I honestly don't understand how your impatience for typing 4 numbers is worth $200 or $600 if you like your unlimited plan.

You're the same type of idiot that bought the 4S because Siri was "a total game-changer" and it was "so much more convenient." I honestly don't understand how your impatience for typing 4 numbers is worth $200 or $600 if you like your unlimited plan.

Hate to break it to everyone but this isn't an actual fingerprint scanner. It is merely an iPhone 5C home button flex cable.
Check out the part from any suppliers in China.

I have to agree.. the picture posted here is the back of the actual home button. If you google 'finger print scanner' you will get a few more articles that have more pictures available and they show the other side which looks like a button with out the home button cover.

I'm all for adding more features, but this would rely heavily on Keychain. I use Chrome as my primary browser, not Safari, so even if this works as expected, unless 3rd party apps (like Google's iOS apps) can access Keychain, I can't really see much use for this. I'm much more interested in A7 SoC specific features. The new Galaxy Note 3 is capable of recording 4K video at 30 fps. Surely the A7 is capable of the same. I would also like to see high fps video capture for slow motion playback (120 or even 240 fps at 1080p seems totally feasible).

They can have my jailbreak when they pry it from my cold dead fingers.